Rare mandala spirit cloth painting, Burma, early 20th c. Such paintings were commissioned by families of means and used for meditations at home. They are believed to have healing and protective power and to bring good luck to the owner. The process for creating the mandala was time intensive as work was only done on auspicious days. Size: 37'' x 35.5'' (94 x 90 cm). It has been said that understanding and writing about yantra is like trying to carry an elephant before you know how to carry a mouse. Keeping that in mind, here is a brief introduction to yantra. Three coincidentally rhyming definitions help to explain: tantra, mantra and yantra. Tantra is scripture that reveals the philosophy and practice of uniting with the universal consciousness. Mantra is the representation of tantra through the emanation of sound and vibration. And yantra is the unfolding visual representation of mantra, and therefore of tantra and the cosmic universe. Yantra takes a variety of forms in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, but the drawings featured in this auction are unique to the Shan and Lan Na regions of Myanmar and Thailand. Yantra drawings and inscriptions can be found on a variety of mediums. The drawings featured in this auction are on cotton cloth and were executed either by yantra masters or Buddhist monks. In either case, the person creating the yantra would have had to be living under the purist of circumstances. He would meditate and in a trance-like state begin drawing and chanting. The drawings themselves could incorporate Hinduism, Buddhism, animism, numerology and astrology and they would be in response to the emotional, spiritual and astrological needs of the person requesting the yantra: for example, for protection, good fortune, longevity, an improved love life, or as a reminder of the Buddhist dharma. In the end, yantra drawings are unique and fascinating works of art replete with meaning and good wishes. They are believed to invoke blessings, specific and general, from all directions of the cosmic universe. Provenance: Lee and Vichai Chinalai collection.